The Brando’s Mission

A non-profit and a luxury resort collaborate for greater good

The Brando is singularly focused on one mission: minimizing its carbon footprint. Sustainability on the atoll is a partnership—if the Tetiaroa Society is the guardian of the atoll, then The Brando is the vehicle to showcase the work of the Society with the world.

Every action, creation, and narrative aims to illuminate the uniqueness of this location. The commitment ensures that while the impact of a visit lingers in the memories of guests, it leaves no trace on the atoll itself, embodying a profound respect for the environment and Polynesian heritage.

Sustainability developments

Renewable Energy

The resort features two varieties of solar panels. Positioned on Tetiaroa’s airstrip, over 4,700 photovoltaic panels meet 60% of the energy requirements.

Surplus energy is conserved in lithium batteries, ensuring nocturnal power supply for the island. These solar batteries, crafted predominantly from recyclable materials, boast a service life extending through thousands of deep discharge cycles.

Campus-wide LEED Platinum Certification

The Brando holds the distinction of being the first resort worldwide to be awarded the LEED Platinum Certification, the highest commendation by the U.S. Green Building Council. This certification is comprehensive, encompassing every structure within the resort’s domain, from energy facilities to ancillary buildings, all adhering to stringent sustainability criteria.

The resort’s design is meticulously planned to minimize resource use, eliminate waste, mitigate environmental impact, and optimize lifecycle efficiency, thus enhancing guest comfort while significantly lowering ecological footprints. These efforts are part of the criteria for LEED Certification, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship without sacrificing luxury.

LEED platinum qualifications

Carbon Footprint

The goal on Tetiaroa is to provide a unique experience for every guest. While The Brando constantly works to improve our procedures and reduce our carbon footprint, there are still steps to be taken. Key areas of focus include sustainable energy generation and minimizing the carbon footprint of transportation to and from the island. Insight into the full range of environmental initiatives can be gained through the Green Tour, an educational excursion offered to guests.

SEE GREEN TOUR

“CSR Committed” label delivered by AFNOR Certification

Setting New Standards

Under the guidance of AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation), we are active in the implementation of  the ISO 26000 standard, which encompasses eight key areas: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement and development, and stakeholder engagement. By adopting this policy, we aim to structure and improve our approach to CSR by integrating sustainable development issues into account in our business model. We do this by taking proactive measures to reduce our environmental impact, improve the well-being of our employees and ensure ethical management throughout our value chain.

Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC)

Inaugurated in 2014, the Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) system taps into the ocean’s depths to cool the resort’s structures with minimal energy consumption. Ocean water is siphoned ashore by the natural pressure of the deep sea, flowing through a titanium heat exchanger before it is returned to the ocean, causing no harm to the environment.

This innovative system slashes the energy consumption for air conditioning by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.

Building Connections Among Communities

Tetiaroa is a community of individuals from a multitude of sectors – partners, environmental advocates, researchers, and academic bodies – who come together in the spirit of cooperation. There is a collective effort to embolden these partners to become champions of sustainability in their daily routines, sharing effective strategies and involving them in environmental events such as World Clean Up Day, World Plastic Bag Free Day, and Earth Hour.

Moreover, alliances with entities like the Tetiaroa Society, dedicated to marine conservation research, and Te Mana O Te Moana, focusing on sea turtle education, as well as engagements with social initiatives like Saga that aid underprivileged youth, cultivate a communal bond. These joint ventures are the threads that weave together a unified commitment to sustainability.

We Care

We are proud to unveil our new CSR brand identity: We Care

“We Care” encapsulates the enduring commitments and values celebrated year-round.

The emblem, a fusion of a coral branch and a monstera leaf forming a heart, illustrates the dedication to safeguarding nature and the sea, which are integral to Polynesian heritage. This emblem radiates the warmth characteristic of Polynesian culture, pulsating with love for their homeland, known as ‘fenua.’ Moreover, the heart signifies the genuine concern for the welfare of the team members and the wider community.

A simple message: protection, respect, and steadfast dedication.